Setting up ROaDS Partners with Customized Surveys

Abstract

The Roadkill Observation and Data System (ROaDS) project, developed through a partnership between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and the Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University, provides a user-friendly data collection system to monitor wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs) and identify safe crossing locations on roads managed by federal land management agencies (FLMAs). This report outlines recent outreach efforts and successful implementation of the ROaDS system with external partners, including the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Custom surveys were developed for these agencies to address specific data collection and conservation goals, resulting in improved capacity to monitor WVCs and identify high-risk areas for targeted mitigation. The project has garnered interest from several other state transportation agencies, showcasing the adaptability of the ROaDS system for diverse road and wildlife management applications. The successful deployment in Nevada and Indiana demonstrates the system’s potential to support data-driven decision-making and enhance wildlife connectivity across the country.